Don B. Torgerson, 96

Don B. Torgerson, 96, formerly of Bigfork, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Spokane, where he has been living at Orchard Crest Retirement Community in Spokane Valley for the past five years.

He was born in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, on Jan. 3, 1921, to Art and Myrtle Torgerson. As a child the family moved to a farm at Charlo, where he grew up with a younger brother and sister who have preceded him in death. He went to school in Charlo and then high school in Polson. He then served in the Civil Conservation Corps in Glacier Park before joining the Navy in 1942.

After his training in San Diego he was transferred into the 2nd Marine Division, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, where he attained the rank of Pharmacist’s Mate, 1st Class. While in the Marines he participated in campaigns at Guadalcanal, Tawara, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. He had many “war stories” but was always amazed that he had survived beach landings on three islands from Higgin’s boats — without a scratch.

He returned to Montana and married Margaret Corcoran in Ronan and together they had five children — Mike Torgerson, Randy Torgerson, Toni Utter, Terry Randles and Jim Torgerson, who all live in Montana or Washington. He later was married to Signe Matson, Louise Torgerson and Dorothy Baroch, who passed on before him.

Don lived a full life, enjoyed people and loved to work. In addition to his CCC and military experience he worked on ranches, owned a bar, was an X-ray technician, and a carpenter on several dam projects including Hungry Horse Dam. He moved his family to Anaconda and was a carpenter on the smelter there for 10 years. He joined the National Guard and was a 2nd Lieutenant and the first commanding officer of the 210th Engineering Battalion in Anaconda. He was particularly proud of his Guard unit’s service in putting down the famous prison riot in Deer Lodge when they fired a bazooka into the stone tower and took over the prison.

He moved his family to Bigfork in 1961, living next to his parents before building a home and office, which served his long-term profession as a real estate broker for four decades. He was active in the community, having the first savings account in Flathead Bank, helping to develop the Bigfork nursing home, and various projects of the Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed the real estate profession and combining people with the right property. His business motto said it all: “Making Neighbors Out of Strangers.”

In his retirement he loved spending winters at his place in Mesa, Arizona, traveled much of the country, went to military reunions and spent a lot of time with his visiting kids, their children and grandchildren. He lived his last years at Orchard Crest, a wonderful retirement community in Spokane Valley, centrally located to his family. He was sharp, active on his computer, and loved playing cards right up to his last days.

“On His Way to Thee Final Big Sale.”

Services will be in Bigfork on Wednesday, March 8, at Saint John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell Road. Visitation is at 10:30 a.m. and services at 11 a.m.; interment and reception to follow.